In the UK, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 came into force on 1st January 2005. Apart from exemptions relating to public security, privacy of the individual, etc, the general principle is to give citizens the right to access information held by public authorities unless this can be shown not to be in the public interest.
The success of Scores on the Doors for food hygiene ratings is now being expanded to cover more public interest information such as licensing and trading standards, with others to follow.
Check out which licenses are in force for such as your favourite clubs, pubs, hotels and restaurants. Available licenses include alcohol, regulated entertainment, late night refreshment, temporary events and taxis.
Check out businesses before you buy. During the next few months councils will begin to upload data to the Scores on the Doors service and you will be able to see those businesses within recommended accreditation schemes and those with a poor track record.
